Belagavi: Three men, who attacked the residence of Sanath Kumar, director, Gomatesh Vidyapeeth, an institution run by BJP legislator Sanjay Patil and threatened to murder him for allegedly tipping off authorities of the Income Tax department on state women’s cell of Congress, Laxmi Hebbalkar, were arrested on Monday.
The trio, part of a 25-member group led by Ms Hebbalkar’s brother, Chenraj Hattiholi, attacked the residence of Mr Sanath Kumar, smashed window panes, and left after threatening him and his kin with dire consequences.
According to a complaint lodged by Mr Sanath Kumar with Belagavi police, the group blamed him for IT raids conducted on Ms Hebbalkar’s residences. The complaint stated that the group went away saying Mr Sanath Kumar would soon be caught outside his residence and murdered. They were armed with weapons and sticks and hurled stones at his residence, according to the complaint.
According to sources, Belagavi TP President Shankargouda Patil was also present in the group besides Chenraj Hattiholi. Ms Sanath Kumar was able to identify several of these members who questioned her as to why her husband approached the Income Tax Department against Ms Hebbalkar.
Although Gomatesh Vidyapeeth denied lodging a complaint against Ms Hebbalkar with Income Tax officers, sources said a 400-page complaint against her was submitted to the Enforcement Directorate by an unidentified person which contained details about how the leader and her associates invested in Harsha Sugars, a new sugar factory.
The complaint raised several questions about how the funds were being mobilised by Mrs Hebbalkar to launch this mega project. The complaint evidently led to raids on residences of Ms Hebbalkar and her relatives in this city last week.
According to DCP Amarnath Reddy, the police today arrested three of the 25 members who attacked Mr Sanath Kumar's residence and attempts were on to nab other accused. According to him, some others including Chenraj Hattiholi could have secured bail to avoid arrest.
BJP legislator Sanjay Patil is in Goa to take part in election campaign and expected to arrive in Belagavi tomorrow. Ms Hebbalkar lost to Mr Sanjay Patil by a narrow margin in Assembly elections in 2013. Ever since her defeat, she has been touring Belagavi (rural) constituency to defeat Mr Patil in elections in 2018.
